Pato inspires Milan derby win

AC Milan take a giant step towards their first scudetto since 2004 after Pato brace sets up 3-0 win over rivals Inter.

Sat Apr 02 2011 21:13:50 GMT+0000

Pato's superb performance halted the resurgant Inter Milan who were looking in prime form [AFP]

Pato scored a brace and threw himself cunningly to the ground to get Cristian Chivu sent off as AC Milan took charge of Italy's Serie A title race by beating Inter Milan 3-0 at the San Siro on Saturday.

It was Brazilian Pato who was the show's central figure as he produced two clinical finishes and a dubious fall to turn the most eagerly-anticipated Milan derby in years the way of the rossoneri.

Substitute Antonio Cassano added a late penalty after he tumbled under a Javier Zanetti challenge.

The result leaves Milan five points clear of the champions at the top of Serie A with only Napoli capable of closing that gap if they beat Lazio on Sunday.

Controversial

However, what had until then been a pulsating affair was ruined somewhat on 54 minutes with the controversial dismissal of Chivu.

Milan were off to a flying start as Pato put them in front in the first minute.

Gennaro Gattuso played Robinho in behind a static Inter backline but although Julio Cesar came out bravely to block, Pato was following up to slot home the loose ball.

The action was fast and furious early on with Inter pair Goran Pandev and Wesley Sneijder failing to trouble Christian Abbiati with shots from distance.

A point-blank volley from Clarence Seedorf then appeared to hit Maicon's hand in the box but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty.

Inter had a great chance to level on 19 minutes as Pandev played in Giampaolo Pazzini, who got past his marker courtesy of a lucky bobble, only to blast his shot straight at Abbiati.

Pato had a shot deflected just past the post and then got past Chivu only for Andrea Ranocchia to come across quickly to snuff out the danger.

Deflection

On 38 minutes a Mark Van Bommel blast from distance took a wicked deflection off Chivu and beat Cesar but crashed back off the bar and into the goalkeeper's relieved arms.